Malaysia to keep out of MNLF conflict

From InterAksyon (Sep 17): Malaysia to keep out of MNLF conflict

Malaysia, chief facilitator in the ongoing peace talks between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), will not be meddle in the ongoing conflict between Philippine forces and those loyal to Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) founding chairman Nur Misuari, it was learned.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman issued a statement on September 11, a couple of days after Misuari’s followers tried to take control of Zamboanga  City, saying it was confident that the Philippine government would restore peace in the area.

"As facilitator to the peace process between the Philippine government and the MILF, Malaysia is committed to resolve the southern Philippine conflict in a peaceful manner that will benefit all, in particular Filipinos in Mindanao,” Foreign Minister Anifah Aman said.

"Malaysia is confident that Manila and MILF will continue working towards long-lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in southern Philippines,” he added.

The statement was forwarded by the Philippine embassy in Kuala Lumpur to media outfits. In reaction, the embassy welcomed the Malaysian government’s expression of confidence in the Philippine government’s resolve to restore peace in Zamboanga and its reaffirmation of Malaysia’s commitment to the ongoing peace process in Mindanao.

The Malaysian foreign minister has said: "Malaysia respects the ASEAN principles and spirit not to interfere in the internal affairs of other ASEAN states.”

At the same time, Malaysia said its Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) has tightened security in Sabah waters bordering the Philippines.

Malaysia is where Misuari fled to in 2001 after leading an attack on a military camp in Jolo, Sulu which led in the death of 100 people and the wounding of many others.

Then governor of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), Misuari fled to Malaysia to evade arrest and the government filed criminal charges against him. But later that year, on November 24, the Malaysian police arrested Misuari and six followers on Pulau Jampiras in Sabah.

On January 7, 2002, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad ordered Misuari deported after six days in jail in Kuala Lumpur on charges of illegal entry.

The Philippines and Malaysia have an unresolved territorial dispute over Sabah.

http://www.interaksyon.com/article/70893/malaysia-to-keep-out-of-mnlf-conflict